per 10. The Voling Master Amus
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Chapters: The Young Master Anives
the car wore through the winding streets of Italy, babel couldn’t help but watch the city pass by in awe. Eventually, they acted at a tall, maticending adored with stone marble that made it look like an ancient le steeped in stories of the post
11 koerned ahead, both grand and mystean, babel stepped mit at the car, lire eyes flanlan the structure with fascination. The building seemed alhe, resonating with musk and voices that somehow managed to ham through its concretewal
The cat pulled assay, terong her alone in front of the buckling. After taking abreath and straightening her outfit, she stepped inside, trying to project an air of confidence.
The main hall was brimming with a mix of people–old and young, yet all weakly, mingling with glasses of wine in their hands. It was somewhat like the charity ents she al attended, but this time, the air was less pretentions,
These people weren’t putting on a shone for the poble, there was an air of outsider in asa et commections.
sentirny, obra privileged, tabel found hersell Ingering along the edge of the crowd, feeling like an
She stood alone in comer, clutching wine glass, uns how to approach anyone. Just then, a young man approached her. He had dark eyes but strikingly white hair and a lively uphit that sparkled through his playtul unike. He seemned about her age, yet there was a qolet confidence in his page. His floral cologne filled the ak as he walked over with smooth,
“I never knew me cold wear floral pestones,” Isabel commented, breaking the stence.
“why, thank you,” he said with agrin. Not all men are the same, after all.”
belled an eyebrow, intrigued. “And what makes you think you’re different?
He took a mock bow, string to his outfit–a deep wine–colored suit with a black shirt underneath “Shle, “he pad with a wink “It’s all about understanding style.”
His poesence was refreshing, a contrast to the reserved atmosphere around them, sabel chuckled, the ice between them broken
“50” he asked, leaning in, “are you here alone?
“Lam and I’m not stationed through the answer, though she tried to keep it light
Hethed his head, his playful demeanor suddenly thoughtful. “Care to explain?”
“Well, I’m supposed to be here for someone, acertain young master, but don’t even know who he is,” he admitted, Laughing softly at her own predicament.
The man’s face new serious, his eyes staying hercareilly. “The young master, huh?” esemed almost hesitant nose, as though she had crossed an unspoken ine
“Do you know where I can find him?” tabel asked, trying to glean any hint from his expression.
He sighed, swing the wine in his glass thoughtfully. “Well, let’s just say that you don’t find the young muster; he finds you”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” she replied, hall–joking, though his woods stined a sense of foreboding in her.
“He doesn’t de ceremontes unless it suits his interests,” he explained, taking a sip. “ut he’s keeping you waiting, it’s probably for a reason.”
“So, is this the part where you walk away and pretend we never spoke?” she rossed
courent,” he said with a grin. “I’m far too charming for that He leaned in, his eyes glinting with muschief. “I’Edo you a favor and show you where he might be,
is par shifted to a door on the second floor, a small grin tugging at the comers of his mouth. “Up there, maybe,” he said.
“Oh, so you’re sending me on a wild goose chase, then?” belirke
“Let’s call it a thesis, not a fact,” he shrugged, offering a wink before disappearing into the crowd
sabel found herself smiling at his mystery. There was only one way to find out. Taking a deep breath, scossed the room and found the stairs she ascended, the air grew more tense, and a strange thrill of anticipation ran through her Reaching the top, the made her way down a hallway lined with artwork and status that felt oddly out of place in a building like this.
Two minstood by the door she was heading toward, their gazes cold and assessing. They didn’t stop her, however, instead, they exchanged a look and opened the door allowing her tops through. She wasn’t sure if she should be relieved or wÉZTY.
Stepping inside, she found herself in a grand room filled with gold states, rare artifacts, and glistening jewelry that seemed to have been pulled straight from a meum. The room uded with and power, shrine to ealaingaten,
“What is all this?” she mattered under her breath, feeling as though she’d stundled into another workd
“This awoke replied, echoing through the room, is where work”
The deep and authorit unior send a chill down bel’s spine. Her heart raced as she scanned the room, souching for t
“So, you’re the young master,” she said, her walce steady despite her racing thoughts.
“Indeed, I am,” the voice reped, though she still couldn’t see him.
“Well, show your face. I think I’ve earned at least that”
A few seconds offence passed before the sound of footsteps reached her ears. Fmerging from the shadows, he finally appeared, the man of the hour. He was tall, dressed in a Kerkblack suka galden necklace glinting at his dear, and bracelets adorning his wrists. His commanding gaze held her with an intensity that was both uning and capting
Matthabelated, unable to hide her surpeke.
“Are you surprised to see me he asked, his Eps curling into a smirk.
tabel collected here, forcing calm into her voice. “Well, not really. Somewhere in my mind, 1 knew it would be you. I just wasn’t entirely sure un ris
Seeing him did nothings her. On one hand, she was impressed by the way he commanded a room without even trying On the other hand, she tek a strange pangint resentment, though shadn’t place it origin. Perhaps it was the audacity of it all the way he’d orchestrated them without her knowledge.
*50, what exactly am there to do, Mate? Did you bring me all the where just to report a story thor fourments? tabel jaked, glancing at a small bronze statue nearby. She picked it up, letting its weight settle in her hand as she stated him
Chapter 10 The Young Master Anives
IN
He chuckled, pouring himself a drink as he leaned casually against a table. His eyes sparkled with something unreadable, an expression she couldn’t quite decipher.
“Of course, you’ll still be reporting,” he replied, swirling the liquid in his glass. “But that’s not the main reason you’re here, and it’s certainly not why you’re here tonight.” “Then why am 1 here tonight? Isabel pressed, setting the state back down and crossing her arms,
Matteo drained his glass and set it aside, stepping closer until there was barely any space between them. He held her gaze, his tone low and deliberate. “You’re here tonight because I need you by my side.”
The weight of his words hung between them, heavy and electric. His gaze was intense, filled with a meaning she couldn’t fully grasp, but she felt it all the same a powerful, silent
comun.and
“By your side? Isabel echoed, barely above a whisper. She wanted to press tot more, to understand, but something in his expression stopped her.
“Yes,” he said, his voice firm “Ichose you because I believe you’re capable of understanding what’s at stake. And because, well,” he paused, his gaze softening just a fraction, “I trust you more than you reallar.”
For a moment, the world seemed to fade, leaving just the two of them in that room filled with forgotten treasures and secrets. Isabel couldn’t quite grasp what she had just been pulled into, but one thing was clear: this was no ordinary assignment
